Now that you’ve been home staring at your space for the past few weeks, we’d like to know what is your interior design style? Knowing your style is the first step to planning and creating thoughtful cohesive spaces you’ll love to be in. Once you understand what styles and pieces you’re drawn too, selecting furniture or decor will then become second nature. Plus, us interior designers will love the direction!
Here’s the 7 most popular styles and a brief explanation of each to help narrow down your interior design style. Keep in mind, you don’t have to pick just one!
Modern Style
Today’s ‘Modern Style’ is based on a design movement that was born at the dawn of the 20th century. Modern Style furnishings and decor integrate natural materials, neutral and earthy tones with an emphasis on visual and functional simplicity. Is your space full of simple functional furniture, uncluttered spaces, clean lines, and a monochrome colour palette? Chances are you’re drawn to a modern interior design aesthetic.
Contemporary Style
Contemporary style is defined by what is current and therefore is an ever-evolving palette that echoes prevalent trends and tastes at any given time. Now while Contemporary interior design styles refer to current design trends, they also pay homage to the past. This design style features state of the art materials, glass and metals (nickel, stainless steel, chrome) and often sticks to a stricter palette of black, white and grey.
Mid-Century Modern Style
Mid-Century Modern describes a style that gained momentum in the aftermath of the Second World War. New materials – and uses for them- emerged in World War II. Post-War designers conscientiously applied plastic, plywood, glass, and/or Lucite to their creations, integrating these materials into the design. The colour palette of a mid-century design usually consists of hues of orange, yellow, green and brown.
Minimalist Style
Minimalist design is best described as ‘less is more’. This design style was sparked by the Minimalist Arts movement of the 1960s/70s and inspired by Japanese design. Minimalist interiors rely on the efficiency of the design. Elements and motifs are kept to bare minimum, use of concealed storage is prevalent and a hushed colour tone palette is used. The design needs to be clear and simple, but not boring.
Scandinavian Style
Scandinavian design emerged in the early 20th century gaining popularity in the 1950s throughout the Nordic countries (Denmark, Sweden & Norway). Scandinavian design favors bright, airy spaces while relying heavily on a neutral colour palette of bright whites with pops of black, tan, blush or grey blue. The Scandi style relies on natural wood pieces and other nature-inspired colours like sage which play a large role in making these spaces feel warm and comforting without over cluttering the space.
Industrial Style
Industrial style emphasizes the use of exposed steel with distressed wooden elements. This style’s interiors do not shy away from weight or roughness, embracing the worn, recycled and salvaged. Industrial interiors tend to stick to warm, neutral colours such as greys and browns with iron or steel, exposed concrete and unfinished brickwork complementing them perfectly.
Traditional Style
The Traditional style turns to the past to create ideas for the future. Traditional style interiors are set apart by their silhouettes; winged back chairs, elaborate furniture pieces, claw footed tables, and other furniture and feature designs usually having their origins in 18th century English, French Country or Colonial styles. Delicately carved and lacquered dark wood furniture are popular in the Traditional Style.
Eclectic Style
Eclectic style is all about harmony. It is the coming together of seemingly different styles, juxtaposing textures, and contrasting colours to create a cohesive space. In this style you can play with different styles of furniture, patterns and textures and really mesh together anything and everything you like. This style does still need cohesion for your space to feel harmonious and can be quite difficult to achieve. This is ideal for those who want to get away from the strict rules of known trends while maintaining their own style. If you’re drawn to gallery walls, mixed textures, playful patterns and being a bit rebellious, then an eclectic style might be for you!
Which style do you prefer? Still not sure? Don’t worry, a good interior designer asks all the right questions to discover what your style is. Maybe you’re drawn to mid-century modern style furniture, but love minimalist spaces or you prefer a Scandinavian colour palette with industrial type finishes. Whatever it is we are here to help! Although our showrooms remain closed during the level 4 lockdown our team are all working from home and can still help with everything interiors via a ‘Virtual Consultation’. Find out more and book a Virtual Consultation online here.